confess about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'confess about' is correct and usable in written English, and it typically means to admit or reveal something.
For example, "I had to confess about my mistake to my boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

What did he have to confess about?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And as many contestants confess, about how good you are at guessing.

The New York Times

Shall I confess about something I have not done?', they said: 'Yes, this is our way.

The Guardian

As it stands, punishment is arbitrary, with colleges forced to guess and confess about what passes the N.C.A.A. taste test.

The New York Times - Sports

After years of cajoling and jesting about the Cooper case, Laurin said he finally got Reca to confess about 10 years ago that he was the infamous skyjacker.

The Washington Post

Whatever the quirky New Yorker cartoonist might have to confess about the inspiration for her cartoons should make for entertaining conversation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Even so, I have nightmares," he confesses, about not being allowed into psychoanalytic meetings.

The New York Times - Arts

"He confessed about his mistake, then why would he commit suicide?

The Guardian

He was a little nervous, he confessed, about having to chant Torah in public.

The New York Times

"He confessed about the bananas voluntarily, and, besides, he doesn't strike me as such a brutal sort.

The New Yorker

The final sentence of this quotation evidences the confusion that the State confesses about the responsibilities assumed by employees in taking the oath.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using the more common and natural-sounding "confess to" as an alternative to "confess about" for improved clarity and flow. For example, "He confessed to the crime" instead of "He confessed about the crime".

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily using "confess about" when a simpler verb like "confess" or "admit" can convey the same meaning more effectively. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound clunky. Instead of "He confessed about his mistake", try "He confessed his mistake" or "He admitted his mistake".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confess about" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of admitting or revealing something. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to express the disclosure of specific information, often related to wrongdoing or personal matters. However, consider that the expression is sometimes clunky.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "confess about" is less common than alternatives like "confess to". As Ludwig AI points out, the expression is usable in written English. It's primarily found in news and media contexts. For clarity and improved writing, consider using simpler alternatives such as “confess” followed by a direct object or “admit to”. The choice depends largely on context and desired level of formality, but be aware that overusing "confess about" might make the expressions clumsy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confess to

A more standard and commonly used alternative to "confess about".

admit to

Focuses more on admitting wrongdoing or acknowledging truth.

open up about

Indicates a willingness to share personal or sensitive information.

divulge information about

Emphasizes revealing specific information that was previously withheld.

come clean about

Implies a complete and honest admission of wrongdoing.

reveal details about

Highlights the disclosure of particular aspects or facts.

own up to

Suggests accepting responsibility for something.

disclose information regarding

A more formal way of expressing the revealing of information.

make a confession regarding

A more formal and deliberate way of stating an admission.

profess knowledge of

Indicates declaring knowledge of something.

FAQs

Is "confess about" grammatically correct?

Yes, "confess about" is grammatically correct, though "confess to" is often preferred. According to Ludwig AI, "confess about" is usable in written English, and it means to admit or reveal something.

What's the difference between "confess about" and "confess to"?

While both phrases are used to express admitting something, "confess to" is generally considered more standard and natural. "Confess about" can sound slightly less common or more awkward in some contexts. In general, the expression "confess to" is preferrable.

What can I say instead of "confess about"?

You can use alternatives like "admit to", "reveal details about", or simply "confess" followed by the direct object. The most suitable alternative depends on the context.

How do I use "confess about" in a sentence?

Use "confess about" when you want to express admitting or revealing something specific. For example, "He had to confess about his mistake to his boss". However, consider if "confess to" might be a better alternative.